Gourmet Grilled Cheese

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This Gourmet Grilled Cheese takes your childhood favorite to the next level! Featuring rich Borden Cheeses, smoky spices, and crispy sourdough bread, Alton Brown has showed us tips to achieve the perfect comfort food upgrade!

A grilled cheese on a plate with chips and soup.

The grilled cheese is a timeless favorite! Simple. Ooey Gooey. Feels like home. According to a survey by Borden® Cheese, nearly half of American grilled cheese lovers prefer a purist approach, sticking to the classic cheese-and-bread combo. Yet, culinary mavericks like Food Network’s Alton Brown have redefined what a grilled cheese can be.

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Brown’s innovative method emphasizes grilling on an actual barbecue, selecting hearty, country-style sourdough bread, and melting a mixture of spices, Gruyère and sharp cheddar in a foil-lined tray on the grill. He then browns the bread separately, adds the melted cheese, wraps in foil, then reheats. The result? An ooey-gooey, flavor-packed masterpiece that he calls “a grilled sandwich made from grilled cheese.”

Now his approach isn’t just about cheese and bread—it’s about elevating the entire experience. Whether you follow his exact blueprint or adapt it on the stovetop with your favorite ingredients like I’ve done here with a blend of shredded Borden cheeses, this recipe transforms the humble grilled cheese into a gourmet delight!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

Extraordinary Flavor: The blend of cheeses, spices, and mayonnaise creates a rich, savory taste that takes the classic grilled cheese to another level.
Simple Yet Sophisticated: Uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry but tastes elevated.
Versatile and Customizable: Easily adaptable with different cheeses or additional ingredients like bacon or tomatoes.
Quick to Make: Ready in under 15 minutes—perfect for a fast lunch or cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card

Sourdough Bread: Offers a crusty, tangy base that adds texture and depth to the sandwich.
Borden® Cheese: Mix and match your favorites! Borden® Cheese is 100% farmer-owned and crafted with real milk from American dairy farms. Quality ingredients make all the difference! Their shredded 6 Cheese Italian, Havarti and gouda makes the best ooey gooey grilled cheese!
Ground Dry Mustard: Adds a subtle spicy note.
Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky aroma and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
Black Pepper: Adds a sharp, pungent kick.
Mayonnaise: Instead of butter, mayonnaise creates a crispy, flavorful crust and helps achieve an even toast with a subtle tang.

The ingredients to make a gourmet grilled cheese.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make a Gourmet Grilled Cheese

In a small bowl, combine the shredded 6 cheese Italian blend with dry mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper until evenly mixed.

Mixing shredded cheese with spices in a bowl.

Spread mayonnaise or butter on one side of each bread slice.

Place one slice of bread, mayo side down, on a clean plate. Spread evenly the seasoned cheese mixture and cheese slices evenly over this slice. Top with the second slice of bread, mayo side up.

Adding cheese to a grilled cheese in a pan.

Preheat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-low heat. Carefully transfer the assembled sandwich to the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown. Using a spatula, carefully flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted inside. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.

Remove the sandwich from the skillet. Let it rest for a minute, then cut in half. Serve immediately.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

Bread Options. You can substitute sourdough with other hearty breads like baguette or multigrain for different textures and flavors.
Cheese Variations. While the combination of Gruyere and Cheddar are what make Alton’s gourmet grilled cheese unique, like I’ve done here, you can substitute with whatever variety of cheeses you prefer. Some folks like havarti, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, white cheddar, extra-sharp cheddar, or even Velveeta.
Flavor Enhancement and Adjustments. For an extra gourmet touch, sprinkle some fresh herbs like thyme or chives inside the sandwich. Cooked and crumbled bacon or tomato slices are also excellent additions. Adjust the amount of smoked paprika and mustard to suit your spice preference.

What to Serve with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A grilled cheese pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some great options:

A simple soup
A fresh green salad
Pickles or bread-and-butter pickles
Crispy potato chips or skillet potatoes
Sliced fresh fruit or a fruit salad
Simple cooked vegetables

Storage

If you have a few extra sandwiches on hand, you can store them in the fridge. Wrap in foil or place in zip-top food storage bags, and refrigerate for 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, gently re-heat in a skillet or on a griddle over low heat, or in a 350-degree oven, until the outside is crisped and the middle is melty.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a perfectly crispy grilled cheese?

Using mayonnaise or softened butter on the outside of the bread before grilling yields a crispier, golden crust. Be patient and cook on low-to-medium heat. This allows the bread to brown gently and evenly, giving the cheese enough time to melt inside. If the bread is browning too quickly, turn down the heat.

What kind of bread is best for a grilled cheese?

While country-style, sourdough, challah, or brioche work beautifully, you can also use whole grain or even gluten-free bread. Just choose a sturdy bread that can hold up to the fillings and grilling process.

What did Alton Brown put in his grilled cheese?

Alton Brown has made many grilled cheese recipes. His Grilled Grilled Cheese recipe has extra sharp cheddar cheese and gruyere cheese. His Big Cheese Squeeze has smoked gouda and gruyere or fontina with a young asiago.

What is the best type of cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich?

The best cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich are those that melt smoothly and have rich, flavorful profiles. Classic options include sharp cheddar for tanginess, Gruyère for nuttiness, and mozzarella for gooeyness. Other great choices are fontina, Swiss, and Gouda, which add creaminess and depth.

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